Tool



Jan. 22, 1946.

A. ROBER TOOL Filed Jul y 10, 1943 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 3w R. 3 a i Anton Rober INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY:

' Jan. 22, 1946.

A. ROBER 2 Shets-Sheet 2 Filed July 10, 1943 Q mm Antdrz Rober INVENTOR AT TORNEY.

- leasably attached to the handle.

View taken at right angles to Patented JanQ22, 1946 UNITED STATE PATENT OFFICE TOOL f I Anton Rober, Milwaukee, Wis. Application July 10, 1943, serial No. 494,134

2 Claims.

This invention relates to tools. p 7 One object of the presen invention is to provide a convertible tool in which any of several types of tool elements may be readily and re- Another object is to provide a tool so equipped as to provide a ratchet action in either of two directions selectively.

Another object is means adjustable to either of two directions selectively or to lock the tool for movement as a unit with the handle.

Other more specific objects and advantages will appear, expressed or implied, fromthe following description of an illustrative embodiment of the present invention.

In the accompanying drawings: 7

Figure l is a longitudinal sectional view of a convertible tool constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view taken at rightangles to that of Fig. l.

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of Fig. 1'.

Fig. 4 is a side elevation element.

Fig. 5 is an end elevation of the tool holder.

- Figs. 6 and 7 are a transverse section and face view, respectively, of a locking collar shown in to providea tool having Fig. 1.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary view of the tool handle, partly in section and partly in elevation.

Fig. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view of a modified form of tool embodying the present invention.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional that of Fi ,9.

efiect a ratchet action in of a detached tool Fig. 11 is a transverse sectional view taken along the line H--l l of Fig. 9.

The tool shown in Figs. 1 to 8 includes a hollow handle I0 terminating at one end in a rounded head I I having substantially fiat sides l2. For

purposes of assembly the handle I0 is preferably longitudinally split, as at I3, and welded into a solid structure.

The head ll provides support for a tubular shaft l4 journalled therein and projecting through the opposite sides l2 thereof, the shaft being longitudinally fixed by appropriate hearing collars l5 fixed thereon. The projecting ends of the shaft M are fashioned to detachably receive any of several types of tools, such for instance as, the socket wrench shown at IE, or the hammer head shown at l6 of either metal, rubher, or other appropriate material.

formed. on the base of the tool.

In this instance each tool is removably attached to an end of the shaft 14 and for that purpose is provided with a shank l1 adapted to fit into the open end of the shaft M, the shank l1 projecting from the face of a cylindrical boss I8 Teeth l9 projecting from each end of the shaft l4 are arranged to engagein sockets l9 formed in the boss Hi to lockeach tool l5 against rotation with respect to the shaft. Each shaft end also carries a hollow-collar rotatable thereon and seated against a circular stop flange 20 fixed on the shaft. The collar 20 is provided with a series of peripherally spaced inclined cam lug 2| formed on its interior and adapted to interlock beneath a similar series of inclined cam lugs 22 formed onthe exterior of the boss l8 of the tool to lock the tool onto the shaft end. In applying the tool to the shaft the lugs 22 on the tool are passed between the lugs 2| on the collar, after which the collar is rotated to position the lugs 22 beneath the lugs 2| and to lock the'tool in place by a camlike wedging action between the two sets of lugs. y

Provision is made for controlling rotation of the'shaft I4 within the'head 'l I. In this instance the shaft I4 is provided midway of its ends with a drum 23 fixed thereto. 'Each side face of the drum is provided with a circular series of ratchet teeth 24 Or 25, the teeth of one series being set in a direction opposite to those of the other series. Theteeth of one series are disposed to coact with mating teeth on a ratchet ring 26 carried by an extended arm 21, and the teeth of the other series are disposed to coact with mating teeth one second ratchet ring 28 carried by an extended arm 29. Arms 21 and 29 extend lengthwise of the handle l0 and are fixed at their remote ends to a supporting disk 30 fixed transversely of and withinthe handle.

A'transverse rod 3| fixed within the head H extends through appropriate apertures in the arms 21 and 23 adjacent the ratchet rings 26 and 28 to provide additional support and guidance for the latter. urged toward the mating teeth on the drum 23 by separate coil springs 32 and 33 carried by the rod 3| and interposed between one of the arms 21 or 29 and the wall of the handle.

' Theratchet rings 26 and 28 are withdrawable from the drum 23 by appropriate means, such as Both ratchet rings are yieldably I shaft 35 is journalled in spaced spiders 36 disposed within the handle ID at opposite sides of the cam 34. The shaft 35 extends lengthwise of the handle, through the disk 30 in which it is journalled, and at its outer end is provided with a head 31 solidly embedded in the end 38 of a tubular hand grip 39 which is rotatable on the outer end of the handle. The grip 39 is preferably formed of hard rubber or other good insulatingi material to avoid transmission of electric shock to the hand of the user.

A suitable clutch within the handle prevents accidental rotation of the grip 39 and of the shaft 35 and cam 34. The clutch shown comprises-a disk 40, fixed in the outer end of the handle l3, having jaw teeth 4| which normally mesh with mating teeth formed upon a disk 42, fixed to the shaft 35. In this instance a spring 43, interposed between the disk 30 and the clutchdisk 42, yieldably retains the clutch teeth in interlocking engagement, so that neither the shaft 35 nor grip 39 can be rotated. However, by forcing the grip 39 inwardly along the handle 18 against the thrust of the spring 43, the clutch disk 42 may be disengaged from the disk 43 and the grip 39 and shaft 35 rotated to thereby rot'ate the cam 34.

It will of course be understood that, by rotating the grip 39, shaft 35 and cam-34, one or the other of the arms 21 or 29 may be forced outwardly against its spring 32' or 33 in a manner to withdraw its ratchet ring 26 or 28 from en- .gagement with the ratchet teeth on the drum 23. In that position the other ratchet ring 28 or 28 under the pressure of its spring 33 or 32 coacts with the drum 23 to eifect intermittent rotation of the drum 23, shaft l4 and tool I6 in one direction when the handle ID is swung back and forth about the axis of the shaft l4. Similarly when the cam 34 is rotated into such position as'to force the other ratchet ring 28 or 26 out of'coa'cting engagement with the drum, the first mentioned ratchet ring 2 6' or 28 coacts with the drum to intermittently rotate the drum, shaft and tool. in the opposite direction. An appropriate stop in the form of a pin 34 is provided on the cam 34 in position to coact with one or the other of the arms 29 or 2"! to limit rotation of the canras an aidto the operator in adjusting the latter.

Provision is also made-for locking the drum 23 to the handle so that the tool 18 responds to all movements of the handle. For this purpose a steelband 44 is disposed about the drum23, one end 45 being anchored within the head I I, and the other end extending through a channel 46 formed externally of the handle l and having a threaded portion 4'! engaged with an internal ly threaded collar 48. The collar 48 is rotatable on the handle ill and axially confined between appropriate stop rings 49 fixed to the handle. Theband 44 is provided with teeth 50 adapted to interengage peripheral teeth on the drum 23 when the band is tensioned about the drum.

The band 44 normally assumes a position spaced from the drum 23, as indicated in Fig. 2, in which position the drum is free to turn within the head H under the: control of one or the other ratchet rings 25 or 28, but by rotating the collar 48 the band 44 may be tensioned about the drum 23 to lock the same against r0- tation.

The device shown in Figs. 9, l0 and 11 is substantially identical with that hereinabove described except for the means employed for controlling the direction of ratchet action, this means being designed to hold the shaft I 4 against rotationwithin the handle head H when desired and thereby eliminating the brake mechanism above described. In the latter form of device each ratchet ring 28 and 28 is equipped on its outer face with a circular series of ratchet teeth 53 or 54 adapted to coact with corresponding teetnit or 56- formed' on collars 51 or 58 fixed to the shaft M. In this instance a spring 59 in terposed between the rings 26 and 25 yieldably urges both outwardly or in such directions as to engage the teeth 53 or 54 of each with the teeth 55 or 53 respectively.

The positions of the rings 26 and 28 are controlled inthis instance by a transverse bar 68 that extends loosely through the arms 29 and 27 and-which is equipped with appropriate stops in the form or heads BI and 82, at its opposite ends. This bar 50 is equipped with a transverse slot 63 adapted to receive an actuating crank 6"4provided on the end of the control shaft 35.

The arrangement is such that with the crank 64 in the lower extreme position shown, the upper rat'chetrih'g 28 is withdrawn from coacting engagement with the collar 58, while the other ratchet ring 25 is yieldably pressed by the spring 59 into'ratcheting engagement with the collar 51, with the result the oscillating of the handle will eifect a ratchet'action of the shaft I4 in one direction. By rotating the shaft 35 so as to position thecrank 64' in its upper extreme position, the ring 26 will be withdrawn from coacting relation with the collar 5! and the other'ring 28 will coact with collar 58 to effect a ratchet action in the opposite direction.

In an" intermediate position of the crank 54 both rings 26 and 28 are forced by the spring 59 into coactin engagement with the collars 5! and 58, respectively, and the shaft l4 isheld against rotation in either direction by that engagement.

In the device shown in Figures 9, 10, and 1 each tool element is releasably attached to the shaft 14 by a rotary collar 28 substantially identical with the collar employed in the device first above described, except that instead of the lugs 2|, the collar is provided with an internal groove 2| adapted to receive a screw thread 22' on the tool element.

Various changes may be made in either embodiment of the invention hereinabove specifically described without departing from or'sacrificing thevadvantages of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a tool the combination of a handle having a head at one end thereof, a transverse toolcarrying shaft journalled in said head, a hand grip enclosing the opposite end of said handle and rotatably seated thereon, a spring urged clutch in said handle normally holding said hand grip against rotation relative to said handle, said clutch being releasable by lengthwise movement of said hand grip relative to said handle, ratchet mechanism in said head forefiecting step-by-step rotation of said shaft in one direction in response to swinging movement of said handle about the. axis of said shaft, separate ratchet mechanism in said head for effecting step-bysteprotationof said shaft in an opposite direction in response to swinging movement of said handle about theaxis of said shaft, andmeans responsive to rotation of said hand grip on said handle for rendering said ratchet mechanisms selectively effective or ineffective. I

2. In a tool, the combination of a handle having a head at one end thereof, a transverse toolcarrying shaft journalled in said head, a hand grip enclosing the opposite end of said handle and rotatably seated thereon, a spring urged clutch in said handle normally holding said hand grip against rotation relative to said handle, said clutch being releasable by lengthwise movement of said hand grip relative to said handle, ratchet mechanism in said head for effecting step-bystep rotation of said shaft in one direction in response to swinging movement oi. said handle about the axis'of said shaft, separate ratchet mechanism in said head for effecting step-bystep rotation of said shaft in an opposite direction in response to swinging movement of said handle about the axis of said shaft, means responsive to rotation of said hand grip on said handle for rendering said ratchet mechanisms selectively effective or ineffective, and means operable independently of said hand grip for releasably holding said shaft against rotation relative to said head.

ANTON ROBER. 

